In early May, teams from James River FFA and Lord Botetourt FFA competed in the 2017 National Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Career Development Events in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Before competing in the national contest each team had to qualify in the Virginia FFA State Soils Judging Career Development Event to earn one of five spots in the national competition.
The team from Lord Botetourt placed first at state level with the James River team placing fifth. While in Oklahoma City, these teams practiced for the competition at two different locations to get a feel for the very different terrain and soil structure of Oklahoma. After spending time making final preparations with the relatively new qualities of the contest area, both teams were excited and ready to compete in the national event. Both teams represented Botetourt County and the Commonwealth of Virginia very well by placing strongly in the very challenging national contest.
The team from Lord Botetourt FFA included students Andrew Seibel, Claire Seibel, Tess Seibel, and Brian Watts with coaches Stuart Byrd and Andy Seibel. The team from James River FFA included Maddie Cummings, Davis Fenster, Jarrod Hix, and Mason Sowers and coach Zach Wakeman. Both FFA chapters would like to think Botetourt 4-H and FFA Alumni, Botetourt Regional Cattlemen’s Association, the Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District and the Roanoke County Farm Bureau for their support of the teams.
